Workplace Culture and why it matters

“Culture, is simply a shared way of doing something with passion.” – Brian Chesky, CEO Airbnb

There is nothing more fulfilling than having a shared goal with like minded friends that feel just as enthusiastic as you do. Not only do our goals make us feel driven and relevant, but it makes us feel united with those who share the same feelings – often inspiring us to share it with those who haven’t been exposed to our passions.
This active feeling is what can create a successful workplace culture.

In the Mad Men TV series, employees are utterly worn out, bosses facilitate an unjust hierarchy system, and the main approach to tasks is fast and cheap. Essentially, nobody enjoys their jobs. Such workplace culture exists, sometimes it’s even found in small businesses. The real question is why do people endure it?

Technology and an increase of individuals wanted to work in an environment that aligns with their ideals has challenged old workplace systems. Opening up opportunities to those who are more in touch with their values and would like them to be apparent within the workplace.

Creating a workplace culture around values and ideals takes a lot of vision – leaders who have worked through the trials and errors of organisations.

Listed here are 10 mechanisms which thinkers, leaders and entrepreneurs have used to create great workplace culture. These visions could help you set up a base for your business which will work alongside time and technology.

1. Don’t F**k Up the Culture

Brian Chesky had received $150M from Peter Thiels with only one attachment “Don’t f**k up the culture.” Chesky had taken this advice to heart and shared it with his team “The thing that will endure for 100 years, the way it had for most 100 year companies, is the culture. The culture is what creates the foundation for all future innovation. If you break the culture, you break the machine that creates your products.”

2. Building Business That Lasts

The CEO of Meetup, Scott Heiferman had interviewed Jason Fried from Basecamp. The discussion followed how businesses can remain sustainable through culture and what businesses can take from mom­and­pop shops that have been running for years, and years.

3. Your Manifesto, Your Culture

Seth Godin asks us many questions and trying to create a conversation around our actions. “It’s so easy to string together a bunch of platitudes and call them a mission statement. But what happens if you actually have a specific mission, a culture in mind, a manifesto for your actions?”

4 . The Power of Vulnerability

Researcher Brené Brown talks about the benefits of vulnerability, and the importance of revisiting the past. This tool helps you as a business to improve in building teams, creating bonds and team working efficiently.

5. You Don’t Create a Culture

The short essay by Jason Fried talks about the comparison of genuine and artificial cultures. “Real cultures are built over time. They’re the result of action, reaction, and truth. They are nuanced, beautiful, and authentic. Real culture is patina.”

6. The Culture of Netflix

The CEO of Netflix, Reed Hastings stated that “Actual company values are the behavior and skills that are valued in fellow employees.” Say goodbye to words such as “Integrity, Communication, Honesty.” Actions speak louder than words.

This animated clip narrated by Dan Pink and constructed from his book, Drive; focuses on how the personalities of leaders can create culture. It’s important to acknowledge the motivations behind every decision and maintain it.

10. Moz and Core Values

The CEO of Moz, Sarah Bird focuses on maintaining core values during hiring and making decisions around expanded an organisation. Don’t let these ideas bedazzle and confuse you, use these views as examples on how to specify your vision and as yourself the right questions.

There are a few things that bridge these 10 ideas with one and another – emphasising how vital values, behaviours and that motivation is the true to key to keeping everyone motivated and joyous within the workplace.

Incorporating these practices and getting them right will take time. Trial and error isn’t always damaging for a business. Maybe, you hire the wrong person, but you adapt. It’s during these errors that’s it’s important to look over your values once again and make sure they are being met.

Creating a workplace culture is like the foundation of a house, should never be hurried, otherwise everything from above could come crashing down.
Cyrus the Great said, “We discussed how wonderful it would be if a man could train himself to be both ethical and brave, and to earn all he needed for his house­hold and himself.

That kind of man, we agreed, would be appreciated by the whole world. But if a man went further still, if he had the wisdom and the skill to be the guide and governor of other men, supplying their needs and making them all they ought to be, that would be the greatest thing of all.”

It not only benefits you, but your customers, team and businesses progress. Practising great workplace culture gives everyone security, freedom, motivation and a meaningful place to work. There’s great pleasure in helping everyone live in a world, where they feel apart of.